AS Chemistry electron configuration help

rfours

Badges: 3

Rep:

#1

Report Thread starter 2 years ago

#1

On a chemistry unit 1 past paper it asked for the electron configuration of a rubidium atom, which has a proton number of 37.

I wrote, 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 4d1
However the answer is 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 5s1

I understand that rubidium is in group 1 and the s block so 5s1 makes sense, but I thought that there were the 4d and 4f sub-shells before the 5s one so I'm confused why it jumps from 4p to 5s?

0

quote

reply

samb1234

Badges: 13

Rep:

#2

Report 2 years ago

#2

(Original post by rfours)
On a chemistry unit 1 past paper it asked for the electron configuration of a rubidium atom, which has a proton number of 37.

I wrote, 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 4d1
However the answer is 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 5s1

I understand that rubidium is in group 1 and the s block so 5s1 makes sense, but I thought that there were the 4d and 4f sub-shells before the 5s one so I'm confused why it jumps from 4p to 5s?

It's exactly the same reason the 4s is filled before the 3d

1

quote

reply

EmBem03

Badges: 1

Rep:

#3

Report 2 years ago

#3

(Original post by rfours)
On a chemistry unit 1 past paper it asked for the electron configuration of a rubidium atom, which has a proton number of 37.

I wrote, 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 4d1
However the answer is 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 5s1

I understand that rubidium is in group 1 and the s block so 5s1 makes sense, but I thought that there were the 4d and 4f sub-shells before the 5s one so I'm confused why it jumps from 4p to 5s?

The 4d orbital has a slightly higher energy level than the 5s orbital so the 5s orbital fills first (just as with the 4s and 3d orbitals earlier on, which you have correctly filled in.)

1

quote

reply

rfours

Badges: 3

Rep:

#4

Report Thread starter 2 years ago

#4

Thank you!

0

quote

reply

AS Chemistry electron configuration help Watch

Study help in partnership with Birmingham City University

Quick Reply

Today on TSR

Oops, nobody has posted
in the last few hours.

See more of what you like on
The Student Room

University open days

Poll

Were you ever put in isolation at school?

Watched Threads

Oops, nobody has posted
in the last few hours.

See more of what you like on
The Student Room

TSR Support Team

Get Started

Using TSR

Info

TSR Group

Connect with TSR

AS Chemistry electron configuration help Watch

Study help in partnership with Birmingham City University

Quick Reply

Related discussions

Today on TSR

Oops, nobody has postedin the last few hours.

Oops, nobody is replying to posts.

See more of what you like onThe Student Room

University open days

Poll

Were you ever put in isolation at school?

Watched Threads

Spotlight

Oops, nobody has postedin the last few hours.

Oops, nobody is replying to posts.

See more of what you like onThe Student Room

TSR Support Team

Get Started

Using TSR

Info

TSR Group

Connect with TSR

Oops, nobody has posted
in the last few hours.

See more of what you like on
The Student Room

Oops, nobody has posted
in the last few hours.

See more of what you like on
The Student Room